Iberia’s 1st Airbus A321XLR Flight Is Now Open For Booking

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Summary

  • The first commercial Airbus A321XLR flights are now bookable on Iberia’s site.
  • The development was also shared by Gary O’Donnell, the head of the Airbus A321XLR program, who was happy that his product was in the final stages of entering commercial service.
  • While the aircraft has entered its final certification stage, neither EASA nor the FAA have certified the A321XLR.

Iberia, the Spain-based subsidiary and co-founder of the International Airlines Group (IAG), has launched the sale of its first Airbus A321XLR flights, which should take off in November. The first flights are scheduled to connect Madrid, Spain, and Boston, the United States.

First commercial A321XLR flights

Looking through Iberia’s website, a flight between Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is operated by an Airbus A321XLR on November 14, 2024.

Photo: Airbus

Gary O’Donnell, the head of the Airbus A231XLR program, also shared the news. Announcing the development on LinkedIn, O’Donnell noted that there was nothing better than “seeing your product entering service.”

“1st commercial flight of our #A321XLR is now on sale with Iberia. Congratulations to Alberto and the team. I really hope you enjoy the flight.”

Data from the aviation analytics company Cirium has also affirmed that beginning in November, Iberia will start deploying the Airbus A321XLR on the MAD-BOS route, using the ultra-long-range narrowbody aircraft interchangeably with an Airbus A330.

Previously, Marco Sansavini, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Iberia, shared that the airline would begin operating the type on flights to BOS and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) during the upcoming winter season.

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Iberia CEO Reveals Airbus A321XLR Debut On US Routes

Aer Lingus will not be the launch customer due to a pilot dispute.

Switching launch customers

However, Iberia was not supposed to be the launch customer of the A321XLR. Another IAG-owned carrier, namely Ireland-based Aer Lingus, was slated to operate the first commercial flight of the A321XLR.

Pictures shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed the first commercial A321XLR with an Aer Lingus tail and winglets, yet the aircraft’s engine cowlings were decorated in Iberia’s livery. The aircraft, manufacturer serial number (MSN) 11348, will be powered by two CFM International LEAP-1A engines, according to ch-aviation data.

The site’s fleet records showed that the first A321XLR should be delivered in September. Furthermore, another A321XLR, MSN 11504, should be delivered in December. So far, these are the only A321XLRs with MSNs assigned to them on ch-aviation.

Airbus A321XLR taking off

Photo: Airbus

Nevertheless, a contract dispute between Aer Lingus and its pilots, represented by the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA), has resulted in IAG shuffling the A321XLR delivery slots within the group. Irish Independent cited the airline’s spokesperson as saying that the Irish carrier was unable to deliver certain “cost structure assurances,” and as a result, the A321XLRs were allocated elsewhere within IAG.

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Aer Lingus Loses 2nd Airbus A321XLR Launch To Iberia Over Ongoing Pilot Pay Dispute

Aer Lingus already lost out on being the launch operator for the same reason.

Certification questions

At the same time, neither the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) nor the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have certified the A321XLR. Both regulators have expressed concerns about the unique design of the aircraft and its integral rear center tank (RCT), which is directly integrated into the fuselage of the A321XLR.

A321XLR in assembly line_p202111017

Photo: Airbus

The A321XLR entered its final certification and flight testing phase in late May. At the time, Airbus did not detail the exact or approximate delivery date of the type, yet the manufacturer’s previous statements did say that the first customer would receive their first A321XLR in Q3 2024.

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With the FAA mandating Airbus’ compliance with special conditions for the A321XLR, can Iberia launch its flights to the US in time?



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